Asociación Freedom – Asociación Humanitaria de Desarrollo y Transformación
- Guatemala City, Guatemala
Organizational Overview
Asociación Freedom is a humanitarian organization that was formed in 2020 and that partners with local churches to foster community development and transformation in some of the most vulnerable urban areas of Guatemala City, particularly in Villa Nueva. Comprised of six independent churches, Asociación Freedom focuses on mobilizing congregations to serve their neighbors and address critical issues such as youth violence, education gaps, and economic empowerment. Through strategic collaboration, the association equips churches with the knowledge, resources, and skills needed to build stronger, more resilient communities and to serve as agents of peace. Among its initiatives are projects that include a business development program for women, a soccer school, a music school to mentor youth and programs for children and the elderly, including a community center that offers medical assistance and job skills training. All of these initiatives are grounded in the organization’s desire to reflect God’s love through practical, impactful, and lasting solutions that uplift and transform the communities they serve.
Beneficiary Population
- Urban Poor
- Children & Youth
- Women
- Families
- Leaders
- Entrepreneurs
Focus Areas
- Spiritual Transformation & Faith Communities
- Leadership Development & Training
- Community Development
- People & Family-Centered Development
- Wealth Creation & Economic Development
Organizational Track Record
Asociación Freedom, since its founding in 2020, has a proven track record of impactful community development initiatives, partnering with local churches in and around Guatemala City to address critical issues such as poverty, malnutrition, and lack of economic opportunities. One of its programs, developed in collaboration with Camino Alliance, focuses on empowering women through skills development. In this program, 25 women have been trained in jewelry-making and basket weaving, helping them build financial independence and contribute to their families' well-being. The program also provides workshops on budgeting and business planning to further enhance the participants' ability to create sustainable income streams. In addition to women's empowerment, Asociación Freedom runs various other community-focused projects, including a soccer academy that teaches life skills to over 100 children in Villa Hermosa, a sewing course primarily aimed at single mothers, music classes benefitting over 70 young people, a Community Technology Center where over 40 children and youth learn vital computing skills, and medical outreach programs, benefitting hundreds of vulnerable adults and children. Their nutrition programs are particularly notable; in partnership with local municipalities and churches, they have implemented initiatives to combat malnutrition among children under six, reaching over 300 children in 14 communities. Through these comprehensive efforts, Asociación Freedom continues to foster holistic community transformation by integrating education, economic development, and spiritual care, all grounded in the love and service of Christ.
Key Leader Biosketch
Pastor Byron Ramirez is the Founder of Comunidad Cristiana Maná, an impactful church of 30+ members, and the Director of Asociación FREEDOM, an organization dedicated to fostering community transformation and economic development in Guatemala City and surrounding areas in collaboration with local churches. As a passionate leader and entrepreneur, Pastor Byron has been instrumental in creating and driving faith-based initiatives that empower vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships and holistic support programs. A Certified Public Accountant, Pastor Byron has also served as a facilitator for the Church and Community Program under the Latin American Natural Strategic Cooperation Entity, where he played a key role in strengthening church leadership and mobilizing local communities for social impact. Additionally, as the Regional Coordinator for Enlace Latinoamérica, he has broadened his reach by coordinating projects aimed at building resilience and fostering development in disadvantaged areas across Guatemala. Pastor Byron's entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his commitment to faith-driven initiatives, has earned him respect in both his local community and the broader region. Byron is married to Linda Del Cid, and they have two children, Montserrat and Mateo.
Funding History with Camino Alliance
Asociación Freedom has partnered with Camino Alliance to advance various community development projects in collaboration with local churches in Guatemala. Each of the five participating churches received a small grant of $3,000 USD, totaling $15,000 USD, which has supported a range of impactful initiatives. These include vocational training programs like “Training You for Life”, where 25 vulnerable women learned skills such as jewelry making, basket weaving, and nail art, helping them use these income-generating abilities to create and sell handcrafted products. The Tabitha Project focused on sewing and tailoring courses for 40 participants, while the Community Care and Development Center and Integral Community Technology Center provide essential educational and job skills to 30 local residents. The Psalmist’s School, finally, nurtured the musical talents of 70 youth through formal music education. These efforts have created sustainable impacts by equipping vulnerable communities with the skills and resources needed for long-term transformation and economic empowerment.